I have a great obsession with old black and white movies. I am a particular fan of the directors William Wyler and Alfred Hitchcock. The playwright and writer Robert Sherwood, created two of my favorite screen plays The Best Years of Our Lives and Waterloo Bridge. Robert Sherwood was an original member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers, poets and satirists that met at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City during the years from 1919 to 1929.
The Best Years of Our Lives, directed by William Wyler, focuses on the stories of three United States servicemen returning from World War Two. Each little vignette within the movie, tells of how these three brave men acclimate themselves to live after the war. Teresa Wright, plays the daughter of one of the service men who returns home, and she ends up falling in love with one of the other men, who returns to the states, realizing his wife no longer wants to be married to him.
Harold Russell plays Homer, a returning sailor who has lost both hands in an accident on his naval ship. The film beautifully portrays how Homer comes to grips with the loss of his hands, and how he finds that the promise he made to his girlfriend Wilma before the war, to marry, is still the promise she shares and wishes to keep.
Harold's relative owns a bar establishment called Butch's in the film. The relative Butch is played by the great jazz pianist Hoagy Carmichael. Hoagy Carmichael's simple duets with Homer, including Chopsticks, showcase Mr. Carmichael's versatile style. While at the same time, the piano again, is displayed at as a force for good in a difficult world, an instrument, that since it's inception has brought people together.
Mr. Carmichael was born in Bloomington, Indiana. His mother Lida was a versatile pianist, and she taught him to play and sing at an early age. As a lawyer, it is a comfort to know that he earned his bachelor's degree and law degree at Indiana University. After graduating from IU's law school he did move to Florida, where he failed the Florida bar exam, but managed to pass in Indiana and he joined an Indianapolis law firm. The law was not to be, as Carmichael devoted most of his energies to music, arranging gigs and writing tunes. I must admit, I can relate to this part of Hoagy Carmichael's life. Throughout my law practice career, I find myself during the day, listening to clips of classical music or jazz, and reading about my favorite musicians.
The beautiful melody Star Dust was composed by Mr. Carmichael and recorded in 1927. Carmichael also composed Georgia on my mind, and arranged and recorded Up a Lazy River. Interestingly, as it drives a lot of amateur pianists crazy, Carmichael composed Heart and Soul, which has become a popular duet performed by American children everywhere.
For me, my favorite song he collaborated with Johnny Mercer to create Skylark. It is a beautiful song, and has been recorded by many artists, including my personal favorite Linda Ronstadt.
In his performance in Best Years of Our Lives, he taught a disabled veteran to play Chopsticks, and I find that so endearing. Even teaching someone a simple piano tune, can change someone's life. William Wyler as a director had a real gift, in determining what scenes to keep and which ones he should cut. This is one of the beautiful stories, within the whole story of this incredible film
And though he was a pianist, his greatest strength was as a melodist. His songs have stood the test of time, and the beautiful Georgia on My Mind, is the State of Georgia's official song.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Jon Nakamatsu
Columbus, Ohio is known for its infamous Big Ten football team, The Buckeyes of The Ohio State University. Yet outside Columbus, many do not realize that my adopted city is home to a thriving arts scene. Discriminating customers of the arts, will find that Columbus is home to several incredible chamber music organizations. In the past few years, I have attended Chamber Music Columbus concerts, in the acoustically perfect, Great Southern Theater.
I had the good fortune on December 16, 2017 to attend a concert of the Escher String Quartet with pianist Jon Nakamatsu. I am a fan of chamber music, but I add that I am definitely a fan of Jon Nakamatsu. When I think of my favorite pianists, I think of this quintet, Emmanuel Ax, Angela Hewitt, Kathryn Stott, Jon Nakamatsu, and Jean Yves Thibaudet. So when I saw that Jon was coming to Columbus, I simply had to attend. If nothing else, the concert would be a glorious way to celebrate Beethoven's birthday.
The concert was amazing. The Escher Quartet started off the program with Mozart's Quartet in B-flat major, K. 458 otherwise known as "The Hunt." Mozart continues to be my absolute favorite classical composer, and the chamber music he composed is beautiful. There was another work by Thomas Ades, called Arcadiana. It was very modern but like eating grand cuisine, I am willing to try anything
Then the Escher String Quartet, performed Erno Dohnanyi's Quintet in C minor, with Jon at the grand piano. Escher takes its name from Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher, inspired by Escher's method of interplay between individual components working together to form a whole. I love this description, so apt in terms of chamber music!
Dohnanyi was a Hungarian composer, and this was the first time I had the opportunity to listen to this beautiful chamber music work. I had forgotten what attention to detail is necessary to perform such a beautiful chamber music set with five movements. All in all, it was an incredible evening of exciting chamber music. Sometimes I hear friends say that classical music is boring. Well, then you might find your musical place at a chamber music concert. There is always something knew to listen to and learn about. You also get to see firsthand, the commitment that chamber musicians make to each other and the audience. I do not have a disc of the Escher, but I plan to get one very soon.
What a country, to hear such incredible musicians, including one of my top favorite pianists Jon Nakamatsu, in our incredible Southern Theater. I am very blessed indeed.
As luck would have it, I am friends with Charlie Warner, who is a labor and employment attorney with the law firm of Porter Wright. Charlie is a consummate arts aficionado, and he extended an invitation to my husband Mark and me, to attend an after concert reception, where we could meet Jon.
As an amateur pianist, meeting Jon Nakamatsu was just another fine example of "dying and going to heaven." As a Gold Medal Winner of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, I purchased his Chopin cd, that included Impromptus, the Fantaisie-Impromptu, Mazurkas and Polonaises. The cd is still one of my favorites, and a "go to" when ever I want to be inspired by beautiful playing.
Getting a chance to meet with Jon was a dream come true. He was incredibly kind and gracious, and I hope he returns to Columbus very soon. His playing was truly wonderful, and it was simply an honor to be in attendance. And one of his classmates from Stanford showed up at the after concert reception, so it is good to know that folks are following his exciting career as a concert pianist.
I add that Jon was happy to chat with his fans. I guess what I find so appealing about Jon, was the fact that he was a high school German teacher, before winning the Cliburn. And with his concertizing he is changing up classical music in an inspirational and positive way.
Jon is also the Artistic Director of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival. I hope to get there, since it is on my musical bucket list. He also had the same piano teacher, Marina Derryberry for most of his life. There is something so admirable about great loyalty. He also studied with Karl Schnabel, which enhances his already impressive resume.
I believe the Great Southern Theatre, lives up to his concertizing expectations, because it is in fact the second time I have heard Jon play in this venue.
I have lived in Columbus for over 30 years, and I never give up, on the citizens of this city and their commitment to the arts. To have a piano gem like Jon Nakamatsu performing in our fair city, is such a gift. I hope he will continue to introduce us to new and exciting chamber music works. The piano never ceases to amaze me.
I had the good fortune on December 16, 2017 to attend a concert of the Escher String Quartet with pianist Jon Nakamatsu. I am a fan of chamber music, but I add that I am definitely a fan of Jon Nakamatsu. When I think of my favorite pianists, I think of this quintet, Emmanuel Ax, Angela Hewitt, Kathryn Stott, Jon Nakamatsu, and Jean Yves Thibaudet. So when I saw that Jon was coming to Columbus, I simply had to attend. If nothing else, the concert would be a glorious way to celebrate Beethoven's birthday.
The concert was amazing. The Escher Quartet started off the program with Mozart's Quartet in B-flat major, K. 458 otherwise known as "The Hunt." Mozart continues to be my absolute favorite classical composer, and the chamber music he composed is beautiful. There was another work by Thomas Ades, called Arcadiana. It was very modern but like eating grand cuisine, I am willing to try anything
Then the Escher String Quartet, performed Erno Dohnanyi's Quintet in C minor, with Jon at the grand piano. Escher takes its name from Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher, inspired by Escher's method of interplay between individual components working together to form a whole. I love this description, so apt in terms of chamber music!
Dohnanyi was a Hungarian composer, and this was the first time I had the opportunity to listen to this beautiful chamber music work. I had forgotten what attention to detail is necessary to perform such a beautiful chamber music set with five movements. All in all, it was an incredible evening of exciting chamber music. Sometimes I hear friends say that classical music is boring. Well, then you might find your musical place at a chamber music concert. There is always something knew to listen to and learn about. You also get to see firsthand, the commitment that chamber musicians make to each other and the audience. I do not have a disc of the Escher, but I plan to get one very soon.
What a country, to hear such incredible musicians, including one of my top favorite pianists Jon Nakamatsu, in our incredible Southern Theater. I am very blessed indeed.
As luck would have it, I am friends with Charlie Warner, who is a labor and employment attorney with the law firm of Porter Wright. Charlie is a consummate arts aficionado, and he extended an invitation to my husband Mark and me, to attend an after concert reception, where we could meet Jon.
As an amateur pianist, meeting Jon Nakamatsu was just another fine example of "dying and going to heaven." As a Gold Medal Winner of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, I purchased his Chopin cd, that included Impromptus, the Fantaisie-Impromptu, Mazurkas and Polonaises. The cd is still one of my favorites, and a "go to" when ever I want to be inspired by beautiful playing.
Getting a chance to meet with Jon was a dream come true. He was incredibly kind and gracious, and I hope he returns to Columbus very soon. His playing was truly wonderful, and it was simply an honor to be in attendance. And one of his classmates from Stanford showed up at the after concert reception, so it is good to know that folks are following his exciting career as a concert pianist.
I add that Jon was happy to chat with his fans. I guess what I find so appealing about Jon, was the fact that he was a high school German teacher, before winning the Cliburn. And with his concertizing he is changing up classical music in an inspirational and positive way.
Jon is also the Artistic Director of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival. I hope to get there, since it is on my musical bucket list. He also had the same piano teacher, Marina Derryberry for most of his life. There is something so admirable about great loyalty. He also studied with Karl Schnabel, which enhances his already impressive resume.
I believe the Great Southern Theatre, lives up to his concertizing expectations, because it is in fact the second time I have heard Jon play in this venue.
I have lived in Columbus for over 30 years, and I never give up, on the citizens of this city and their commitment to the arts. To have a piano gem like Jon Nakamatsu performing in our fair city, is such a gift. I hope he will continue to introduce us to new and exciting chamber music works. The piano never ceases to amaze me.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Beyond Czerny and Hanon Exercises
As a long time student of the piano, I have done my fair share of Hanon and Czerny exercises. At times, one can get bored with the repetitive nature of these exercises. Yet at the same time, when you really analyze what the exercises are working on, often strengthening of a specific finger pattern, you come to appreciate the value of these tried and true etudes.
I know I have mentioned before in this blog, that one of my teachers Dr. Suzanne Newcomb, who is a piano professor at Otterbein University. As a pre-teen she actually played Czerny Exercise #5 in a piano recital. I must admit, that over the years it has become one of my favorites. It is fast, and has the quality and intricacy of a piano sonatina or sonata. It actually is fun, and whether you play it slowly or speed it up, you can sound like you know what you are doing.
So beyond Czerny and Hanon there is Stephen Heller. Born in Hungary in 1814, Mr. Heller developed a career as a brilliant pianist, and from the notes of my Heller book by Lynn Freeman Olson, he actually studied as a boy with Carl Czerny. Quoting Maestro Heller, his purpose in writing the etudes was "not only to help the development of finger ability,but also to enable both students and amateurs to perform a composition with the expression, grace elegance, or verve demanded by the work."
Well, to quote a famous movie line from My Big Fat Greek Wedding...."there you go" I guess I should have read the music notes before I started conquering the etudes. Perhaps I would have been a bit more tolerant of the work required of these gems, to become a more capable pianist.
So now to focus on the Etude in E Major Opus 45, No. 20. This is an exercise that can bring out the expletives in even an upstanding person like myself. From the view of the amateur, there are a number of partial arpeggios that require you to use the fingering patterns that are in the edition. In my line of work as a lawyer, we legal types often think we know everything. Well when it comes to piano fingering, I have learned, I DON"T.
The next tricky aspect to this etude in particular, is playing legato notes in the right hand, and staccato notes in the left. I can add that for an older student, this probably works important parts of your brain, and could contribute to sustaining your memory. Maestro Heller does let you off the hook,starting around measure 68 with a passage, that is more like a simple sonatina. So if you can conquer the first two pages, the third and fourth pages offer smooth sailing ahead.
I often start my practice sessions playing popular music of the days. But in my stacks of music, Czerny, Hanon and Heller, are there, and you can't ignore them, if you want to play with more ability, control and even elegance. So pianists, put on your poker faces, grit your teeth and jump in. You will be glad you did. And quoting Lynn Freeman Olson the editor of my Heller edition, "And do keep in mind Heller's own goal of finger "ability" as a servant of the expression inherent in each piece."
I know I have mentioned before in this blog, that one of my teachers Dr. Suzanne Newcomb, who is a piano professor at Otterbein University. As a pre-teen she actually played Czerny Exercise #5 in a piano recital. I must admit, that over the years it has become one of my favorites. It is fast, and has the quality and intricacy of a piano sonatina or sonata. It actually is fun, and whether you play it slowly or speed it up, you can sound like you know what you are doing.
So beyond Czerny and Hanon there is Stephen Heller. Born in Hungary in 1814, Mr. Heller developed a career as a brilliant pianist, and from the notes of my Heller book by Lynn Freeman Olson, he actually studied as a boy with Carl Czerny. Quoting Maestro Heller, his purpose in writing the etudes was "not only to help the development of finger ability,but also to enable both students and amateurs to perform a composition with the expression, grace elegance, or verve demanded by the work."
Well, to quote a famous movie line from My Big Fat Greek Wedding...."there you go" I guess I should have read the music notes before I started conquering the etudes. Perhaps I would have been a bit more tolerant of the work required of these gems, to become a more capable pianist.
So now to focus on the Etude in E Major Opus 45, No. 20. This is an exercise that can bring out the expletives in even an upstanding person like myself. From the view of the amateur, there are a number of partial arpeggios that require you to use the fingering patterns that are in the edition. In my line of work as a lawyer, we legal types often think we know everything. Well when it comes to piano fingering, I have learned, I DON"T.
The next tricky aspect to this etude in particular, is playing legato notes in the right hand, and staccato notes in the left. I can add that for an older student, this probably works important parts of your brain, and could contribute to sustaining your memory. Maestro Heller does let you off the hook,starting around measure 68 with a passage, that is more like a simple sonatina. So if you can conquer the first two pages, the third and fourth pages offer smooth sailing ahead.
I often start my practice sessions playing popular music of the days. But in my stacks of music, Czerny, Hanon and Heller, are there, and you can't ignore them, if you want to play with more ability, control and even elegance. So pianists, put on your poker faces, grit your teeth and jump in. You will be glad you did. And quoting Lynn Freeman Olson the editor of my Heller edition, "And do keep in mind Heller's own goal of finger "ability" as a servant of the expression inherent in each piece."
Thursday, August 17, 2017
The piano will save you
The title of my blog post references two conversations I had with my mother over the years. One took place, I believe when I was in college in the 1970s, the other when I was a young mother in the 1990s and my mom moved our little Baldwin piano to my house.
Both conversations took place in the context, that even if I was not going to pursue a career that involved piano, the piano, and the time I spent in lessons would "save me" during multiple peaks and valleys in my life. In my early twenties, I laughed off my mother's statement as almost ridiculous, and in my early 40's I was simply too busy juggling the balls, of work, and family to think that anyone could save me from my far too busy life.
But now that I am in my 61st year, I finally understand what my mom was saying, and how much the piano has saved me from so many things, recuperation from "discussions" with adult children, making mistakes with friends that cannot be turned around, anxiety and worry from job pressures, working through family peaks and valleys both immediate and extended, and many other situations that make up life.
I now admit that all of the lessons have paid off, in the sense that I have a place to turn to, and a place where I can create, sort of a no judgment, no ridicule zone. Whether it is working through a classical piece that is far too difficult, or leafing through a book of popular music, I can find music that will make any day better, even if I can only plink out the melody.
The practice of law can be so challenging, that sometimes, the worries can only be removed, when I play a Beatles song, a Mozart sonata, or a Bach prelude. I can make the day better, just by getting to my peaceful place of 88 keys.
Music also helps me to work through how I interact with friends and families. Through music, I can understand fences I need to mend, or bridges I need to build. Music can be the background to devising a solution for almost any problem. Music can also speak, when honestly, no words are exactly right.
When I first started taking piano lessons and playing, I sometimes became caught up in the smaller picture, glossing over a difficult measure to play through, or not practicing scales and arpeggios diligently, to improve my dexterity and hand position. Perhaps if I had thought about what the piano would mean to me later in life, I would have realized how much I needed to look at the big picture, and the difference piano playing would make to me in so many ways.
I've mentioned in prior blog posts, how grateful I am when I come down the stairs and see my beautiful piano in the living room. I think of all of the ways the piano by its very presence has changed my life. And how my ability to play it, has taken me through the joys and struggles in my life. It's quite amazing actually!
Both conversations took place in the context, that even if I was not going to pursue a career that involved piano, the piano, and the time I spent in lessons would "save me" during multiple peaks and valleys in my life. In my early twenties, I laughed off my mother's statement as almost ridiculous, and in my early 40's I was simply too busy juggling the balls, of work, and family to think that anyone could save me from my far too busy life.
But now that I am in my 61st year, I finally understand what my mom was saying, and how much the piano has saved me from so many things, recuperation from "discussions" with adult children, making mistakes with friends that cannot be turned around, anxiety and worry from job pressures, working through family peaks and valleys both immediate and extended, and many other situations that make up life.
I now admit that all of the lessons have paid off, in the sense that I have a place to turn to, and a place where I can create, sort of a no judgment, no ridicule zone. Whether it is working through a classical piece that is far too difficult, or leafing through a book of popular music, I can find music that will make any day better, even if I can only plink out the melody.
The practice of law can be so challenging, that sometimes, the worries can only be removed, when I play a Beatles song, a Mozart sonata, or a Bach prelude. I can make the day better, just by getting to my peaceful place of 88 keys.
Music also helps me to work through how I interact with friends and families. Through music, I can understand fences I need to mend, or bridges I need to build. Music can be the background to devising a solution for almost any problem. Music can also speak, when honestly, no words are exactly right.
When I first started taking piano lessons and playing, I sometimes became caught up in the smaller picture, glossing over a difficult measure to play through, or not practicing scales and arpeggios diligently, to improve my dexterity and hand position. Perhaps if I had thought about what the piano would mean to me later in life, I would have realized how much I needed to look at the big picture, and the difference piano playing would make to me in so many ways.
I've mentioned in prior blog posts, how grateful I am when I come down the stairs and see my beautiful piano in the living room. I think of all of the ways the piano by its very presence has changed my life. And how my ability to play it, has taken me through the joys and struggles in my life. It's quite amazing actually!
I renamed my blog
I loved the idea of my blog title 10000hours88keys. I had listened to several radio segments about the concept of becoming an expert after spending 10000 hours trying to develop an expertise. I thought of the 10000 hours as a potential goal.
As an adult amateur pianist, I began to get very discouraged about practicing for 10000 hours. I even started to determine, using a calculator, if I practiced 2 hours a day for the next thirteen years, that would result in 10000 hours, and I would be 74. 10000 hours seemed far too daunting.
That might have been possible, when I didn't have a job, didn't have responsibilities, and honestly when I had more energy. So I thought it through and said to myself, "Rose, what if you took your practice time week by week and simply tried to devote a focused amount of time each day, to half the assigned pieces of your lesson, or learning a piece of popular music of the day."
A focused hour sounds possible, whereas 10000 hours can seem like the impossible. And what about the crazy weekday, when the best you can give is 20 minutes. Well 20 minutes is better than nothing. Sort of like working out, 20 minutes walking around the block, beats 3 hours in your favorite chair watching teevee.
So I have renamed my blog FocusedHour88keys.
As an adult amateur pianist, I began to get very discouraged about practicing for 10000 hours. I even started to determine, using a calculator, if I practiced 2 hours a day for the next thirteen years, that would result in 10000 hours, and I would be 74. 10000 hours seemed far too daunting.
That might have been possible, when I didn't have a job, didn't have responsibilities, and honestly when I had more energy. So I thought it through and said to myself, "Rose, what if you took your practice time week by week and simply tried to devote a focused amount of time each day, to half the assigned pieces of your lesson, or learning a piece of popular music of the day."
A focused hour sounds possible, whereas 10000 hours can seem like the impossible. And what about the crazy weekday, when the best you can give is 20 minutes. Well 20 minutes is better than nothing. Sort of like working out, 20 minutes walking around the block, beats 3 hours in your favorite chair watching teevee.
So I have renamed my blog FocusedHour88keys.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Matthew Ebright
My husband and I both engaged in barbershop quartet singing over the years. When we were in our twenties, Mark was member of the Motor City Chorus in Detroit, Michigan and I was in a Farmington Hills, Michigan Sweet Adelines Chorus. After we got married, my husband sang in the Singing Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio, and I sang in Columbus based, Scioto Valley Chorus of the Sweet Adelines.
Although we don't commit to barbershop singing in our current busy lives, we still love to attend barbershop shows and competitions. The Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, and Sweet Adelines, have brought us many hours of musical happiness in participating and singing in this amazing art form.
Last weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Singing Buckeyes performance with the Bishop Watterson High School jazz band. Both of our children performed in the Jazz Band, and we cannot say enough about the band's director Mike Renzi and his incredible musical talent.
The concert featured both the Singing Buckeyes Chorus, as well as the Watterson Jazz band. And the concert also featured pianist Matthew Ebright. Mr. Ebirght has worked as a featured pianist for Prince Cruises as well as being a music director for various theater productions. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Music from The Ohio State University. Matthew has also served as accompanist and assistant direct of the Ohio State University Men's Glee Club.
Currently Matthew works as the primary accompanist for several high school choral programs throughout the Columbus metropolitan area.
Matthew played several jazz numbers with great technical prowess. He also accompanied the Watterson Jazz Band with their rendition of Breaking Up is Hard to Do. Look for Mr. Ebright to go very far professionally. With just a small glimpse of his performance style, he seems to be able to move freely through the various musical genres.
It was an incredible evening among amateur musicians who simply love music.
Although we don't commit to barbershop singing in our current busy lives, we still love to attend barbershop shows and competitions. The Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, and Sweet Adelines, have brought us many hours of musical happiness in participating and singing in this amazing art form.
Last weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Singing Buckeyes performance with the Bishop Watterson High School jazz band. Both of our children performed in the Jazz Band, and we cannot say enough about the band's director Mike Renzi and his incredible musical talent.
The concert featured both the Singing Buckeyes Chorus, as well as the Watterson Jazz band. And the concert also featured pianist Matthew Ebright. Mr. Ebirght has worked as a featured pianist for Prince Cruises as well as being a music director for various theater productions. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Music from The Ohio State University. Matthew has also served as accompanist and assistant direct of the Ohio State University Men's Glee Club.
Currently Matthew works as the primary accompanist for several high school choral programs throughout the Columbus metropolitan area.
Matthew played several jazz numbers with great technical prowess. He also accompanied the Watterson Jazz Band with their rendition of Breaking Up is Hard to Do. Look for Mr. Ebright to go very far professionally. With just a small glimpse of his performance style, he seems to be able to move freely through the various musical genres.
It was an incredible evening among amateur musicians who simply love music.
Aaron Diehl and Cecile McLorin Salvant
One of my musical pipe dreams has been to attend a concert at the Barns at Wolf Trap, in suburban Washington D.C. Our daughter granted our wish, when she obtained tickets for jazz pianist Aaron Diehl and singer Cecile McLorin Salvant. The occasion---to celebrate our upcoming 30th anniversary this August 29th, and going to this concert was a great way to start our anniversary year.
The concert was quite frankly, amazing. I have heard Aaron Diehl before, and being from his home town of Columbus, Ohio, He attended St. Charles prep in Columbus, and was the pianist organist at the beautiful St. Mary's church in Columbus' historic German Village. I have followed his career, and his foray into the world of jazz. He is an absolutely incredible pianist, and I believe he is in his early 30's so I know he has a long career ahead of him.
Aaron collaborates with Cecile, and this collaboration this night was simply beyond words. Cecile reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald or Nancy Wilson, but with her own style, and vocal quality. She is a joy in her performance, and I kept saying to myself, over and over, "I cannot believe that I am here....tonight!!"
Cecile is very mod, or hip or fashion minded. She always wears very distinctive glasses, and there are also photos of her wearing very sophisticated millinery. This very evening she had an incredible dress on, that Cecile described as her "dinosaur dress." Cecile is not a "skinny jeans" person, but I tell you this, she has that je ne sais quoi about her, and she frankly rocked her style. You are not going to forget this fine young woman of jazz. I don't know if je ne sais quoi applies, but I love to utter a French phrase or two.
Cecile and Aaron played and sang for about one and a half hours without a break. The thing I noticed about Mr. Diehl, that differed from the past concerts I attended, is that he played with an elegance. For the amateur pianist, this simply means he played effortlessly, but even the amateur piano knows that effortless equals thousands of hours at the piano, hanon exercises, Czerny, etudes, breaking down the difficult measures. Aaron Diehl is the real Diehl, because he gives so much to the audience in his performance. Still waiting for his interpretation of Viper's Drag in an encore.
I just kept saying to myself throughout the concert, this performance is pure class.
Well as luck would have it, my husband, our daughter Sarah and I stayed until the end, and waited in line to purchase Cecile's CD and vinyl. We were at the end of the queue, and when we came face to face with Cecile, we asked her if Aaron Diehl was coming out to greet his fans. We also mentioned that we were from Aaron Diehl's home town of Columbus, Ohio. And though he couldn't come out to meet and greet, due to a dental issue, Cecile spent a few moments chatting with us. I encouraged her to come to Columbus, and she had been there before, and even seemed amenable.
The most amazing thing about our serendipitous encounter was that she texted Aaron and begged him in a cell phone begging kind of way to come out and meet the home town folk. I've learned that even though he didn't come out to greet us, it's okay. I don't know anything about concertizing, but I am sure it is physically draining, and I guess like any professional, sometime after a big moment you just have to decompress.
I add that I was glad my daughter got to see both Aaron and Cecile. Sarah is a very fine amateur pianist in her own right, and she got to see the excellence that only Aaron Diehl can provide. Sarah also got to see Cecile, who is Sarah's age, a woman with her own style, who knows where she is going. I like it when my daughter sees women who march to the beat of their own drum. I find myself wishing I could take both of them out for a grand lunch or tea, and we could talk music, clothes, romance, and vacations.
Any present from my children is wonderful. Sarah really got an "A" this time allowing my husband and I to accompany her to such an incredible evening of piano and song. I'm still dreaming of that "dinosaur dress."
The concert was quite frankly, amazing. I have heard Aaron Diehl before, and being from his home town of Columbus, Ohio, He attended St. Charles prep in Columbus, and was the pianist organist at the beautiful St. Mary's church in Columbus' historic German Village. I have followed his career, and his foray into the world of jazz. He is an absolutely incredible pianist, and I believe he is in his early 30's so I know he has a long career ahead of him.
Aaron collaborates with Cecile, and this collaboration this night was simply beyond words. Cecile reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald or Nancy Wilson, but with her own style, and vocal quality. She is a joy in her performance, and I kept saying to myself, over and over, "I cannot believe that I am here....tonight!!"
Cecile is very mod, or hip or fashion minded. She always wears very distinctive glasses, and there are also photos of her wearing very sophisticated millinery. This very evening she had an incredible dress on, that Cecile described as her "dinosaur dress." Cecile is not a "skinny jeans" person, but I tell you this, she has that je ne sais quoi about her, and she frankly rocked her style. You are not going to forget this fine young woman of jazz. I don't know if je ne sais quoi applies, but I love to utter a French phrase or two.
Cecile and Aaron played and sang for about one and a half hours without a break. The thing I noticed about Mr. Diehl, that differed from the past concerts I attended, is that he played with an elegance. For the amateur pianist, this simply means he played effortlessly, but even the amateur piano knows that effortless equals thousands of hours at the piano, hanon exercises, Czerny, etudes, breaking down the difficult measures. Aaron Diehl is the real Diehl, because he gives so much to the audience in his performance. Still waiting for his interpretation of Viper's Drag in an encore.
I just kept saying to myself throughout the concert, this performance is pure class.
Well as luck would have it, my husband, our daughter Sarah and I stayed until the end, and waited in line to purchase Cecile's CD and vinyl. We were at the end of the queue, and when we came face to face with Cecile, we asked her if Aaron Diehl was coming out to greet his fans. We also mentioned that we were from Aaron Diehl's home town of Columbus, Ohio. And though he couldn't come out to meet and greet, due to a dental issue, Cecile spent a few moments chatting with us. I encouraged her to come to Columbus, and she had been there before, and even seemed amenable.
The most amazing thing about our serendipitous encounter was that she texted Aaron and begged him in a cell phone begging kind of way to come out and meet the home town folk. I've learned that even though he didn't come out to greet us, it's okay. I don't know anything about concertizing, but I am sure it is physically draining, and I guess like any professional, sometime after a big moment you just have to decompress.
I add that I was glad my daughter got to see both Aaron and Cecile. Sarah is a very fine amateur pianist in her own right, and she got to see the excellence that only Aaron Diehl can provide. Sarah also got to see Cecile, who is Sarah's age, a woman with her own style, who knows where she is going. I like it when my daughter sees women who march to the beat of their own drum. I find myself wishing I could take both of them out for a grand lunch or tea, and we could talk music, clothes, romance, and vacations.
Any present from my children is wonderful. Sarah really got an "A" this time allowing my husband and I to accompany her to such an incredible evening of piano and song. I'm still dreaming of that "dinosaur dress."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)